Climate Research

1807 Submissions

[1] viXra:1807.0122 [pdf] submitted on 2018-07-05 18:28:16

Indian Sundarban Mangroves: a Potential Carbon Scrubbing System

Authors: Abhijit Mitra, Sufia Zaman, Ricardo Gobato
Comments: 23 Pages. Parana Journal of Science and Education (PJSE) – v.4, n.4, (7-29) June 17, 2018. ISSN: 2447-6153

The stored carbon in dominant mangrove species namely Avicennia alba, A. marina, A. officinalis, Sonneratia apetala and Excoecaria agallocha were monitored during December 2009 to March 2010 through seasons in ten selected stations (5 in the western and 5 in the central sectors) of Indian Sundarbans. The species-wise carbon stored in the Above Ground Biomass (in t/ha) followed almost a similar order in both the sectors throughout the study period. The soil and litter carbon were also simultaneously analysed. The annual litter fall in the western and central sectors has been extrapolated to 8.05 t ha-1 yr-1 and 5.22 t ha-1 yr-1 respectively. In the present study, the highest litter fall during September, 2009 may be related to heavy rainfall and wind action in the region that accelerates the litter fall in this unique mangrove system of the tropics. The organic carbon in the study area showed a distinct seasonal pattern with highest value in monsoon (September, 2009), followed by postmonsoon (December, 2009) and premonsoon (March, 2010). In the western sector, the mean values were 1.182%, 1.010% and 0.882% in the monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon respectively. In the central sector, the mean values were 0.936%, 0.820% and 0.650% in the monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon respectively. The surface soil pH in the study area showed a distinct seasonal pattern with highest value in premonsoon (March, 2010), followed by postmonsoon (December, 2009) and monsoon (September, 2009). In the western sector, the mean values were 7.24, 7.30 and 7.36 in the monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon respectively. In the central sector, the mean values were 7.32, 7.37 and 7.39 in the monsoon, postmonsoon and premonsoon respectively. The overall results confirm the potential of carbon scrubbing vegetation in Indian Sundarbans.
Category: Climate Research